The prostate is a small gland that is roughly the the same size as a walnut and is situated below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is a very important gland that manufactures the fluid that helps carry male sperm.
One major problem which can and often does arise with the prostate gland is prostate cancer which is a serious and life-threatening condition which currently strikes roughly one man in ten and is the second most common cause of cancer related death in men today.
So just how does this condition begin?
Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if left untreated, can spread into the nearby tissue and organs and into the lymph nodes and bone.
What are the risk factors involved when it comes to contracting prostate cancer?
More than 70% of men affected with with disease are over the age of 65.
Men who have family members such as a grandfather or father who have contracted cancer of the prostate are 11 times more likely to contract prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
The death rate from this condition increases with weight and is particularly high in men who are obese.
Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to contract this disease than men of African decent.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself from contracting prostate cancer?
There is really nothing which you can do to prevent yourself from contracting this condition although many people believe that eating a healthy diet can reduce the possibilities. At present there is very little evidence to support this.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
There are a number of different tests available including the PSA test, a digital rectal exam and a biopsy.
The PSA test is a blood test which measures the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High PSA levels are not an indication of prostate cancer but are an indication of a possible problem which should be investigated further.
The digital rectal exam requires your doctor to put on a glove and place a lubricated finger into the anus to feel the prostate for signs of enlargement or irregularity.
In the case of a biopsy the doctor will take several tissue samples from the prostate which will then be taken to a lab where they are checked under a microscope for any signs of cancerous cells.
One major problem which can and often does arise with the prostate gland is prostate cancer which is a serious and life-threatening condition which currently strikes roughly one man in ten and is the second most common cause of cancer related death in men today.
So just how does this condition begin?
Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if left untreated, can spread into the nearby tissue and organs and into the lymph nodes and bone.
What are the risk factors involved when it comes to contracting prostate cancer?
More than 70% of men affected with with disease are over the age of 65.
Men who have family members such as a grandfather or father who have contracted cancer of the prostate are 11 times more likely to contract prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
The death rate from this condition increases with weight and is particularly high in men who are obese.
Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to contract this disease than men of African decent.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself from contracting prostate cancer?
There is really nothing which you can do to prevent yourself from contracting this condition although many people believe that eating a healthy diet can reduce the possibilities. At present there is very little evidence to support this.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
There are a number of different tests available including the PSA test, a digital rectal exam and a biopsy.
The PSA test is a blood test which measures the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High PSA levels are not an indication of prostate cancer but are an indication of a possible problem which should be investigated further.
The digital rectal exam requires your doctor to put on a glove and place a lubricated finger into the anus to feel the prostate for signs of enlargement or irregularity.
In the case of a biopsy the doctor will take several tissue samples from the prostate which will then be taken to a lab where they are checked under a microscope for any signs of cancerous cells.
About the Author:
Call in at The ProstrateProblemCenter.com for much more information about prostate problems including everything from enlarged prostate symptoms to the PSA test
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